Just before Christmas  I shared with you all a post about what I've learned about the persecuted church and today, as I have thought about what to share with you in my last post for this blog, I wanted to leave a few final thoughts with you all.

Before I do that though, I wanted to let you know that if you want to stay in touch with me, you can follow my blog and what I'm up to at my company website at Active Christian Media.  I will continue to share about the news of the persecuted church there, as well as other things we'll be doing, including my daily radio program.

First, let me say that this almost eight year ride having the blessing of doing this blog for The Voice of the Martyrs has been just that, a blessing!  I recently asked my neighbor how she ended up being a neo-natal nurse for 25 years and she shared with me that she was simply placed in a NICU unit during her training and she ended up loving it.  Well, I was asked by a friend to be a contract writer for this blog and the rest as they say is history.  I was asked because my friend Paul knew I subscribed to VOM's weekly prayer requests and that's all it took.  It's actually really funny if you think about it.

The scripture really is true when it says that the Lord directs your steps and so not only did He direct me here, but I am confident that He is directing me on to a new place.  I'm excited about what the future holds and I hope you are too.

Yesterday I saw something in scripture that I wanted to leave with you as I close this chapter of my life.  I was reading the gospel of John chapter three and I read the following verse:

"-for John had not yet been thrown into prison." - John 3:24 NASV

 

This verse just popped out at me because I found it interesting that the writer made a point of sharing it within the context he was sharing it.  In order to get some background, please take the time to read all of John chapter 3. 

Here's what I thought as I read the verse - "What if my name was there instead?  What if it said, "for Stacy had not yet been thrown into prison" - How would I feel?  What would I do differently?  Would I be more grateful, would I take my faith more serious, would I watch my favorite TV show or would I be more intentional about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others?  Would I study the scriptures more and would I consult with the Lord concerning everything in my life?

Now, what if YOUR name was there - how would you feel?  What would you do differently?  Pause and think about it for a second.

As you continue to read through John 3 you'll see that the aforementioned verse is referring to John the Baptist and if you know anything about John the Baptist  you know that he was beheaded because Herod the tetrarch wanted to give his step daughter the birthday present she requested, because her mother wanted it -   John the Baptist's head on a platter - literally. (Talk about a soap opera plot!)

Here's the account from Matthew 14:1-12 -

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,  and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

       For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.  For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”  Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,  so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.  Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”  Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.  He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

 

A birthday, a beheading... drama for sure! This passage reminds me of one of the first big decisions I had to make when I started this blog, and that was whether or not I should post an actual picture of a beheaded person.  I remember debating it for quite some time before I did it because it's not every day that you see that.

I also remember the feedback from readers when I posted the picture.  Some people were very upset because they didn't feel the picture was suitable for all readers and others were really glad that I did it because honestly, it's a reality for Christians in countries where Christians are severely persecuted.

Well, back to the last observation I wanted to share with you from John 3.  If you continue to read through John 3 you'll see that John the Baptist was a man who knew his God given role.  He knew he was the forerunner for the Messiah and he knew that his life wasn't about exalting himself, but rather the One who made him.

Read John's words from John 3:27-30 -

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.  “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’  “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.  “He must increase, but I must decrease.

Note John's words, "He must increase, but I must decrease." As I have considered these words over the years, and especially consider them in light of the persecuted church, this is what I know, every Christian who is a martyr understands that being a disciple of Christ is not about what we get out of it.  Being a disciple of Christ means that Christ is exalted and that we are to pick up our crosses daily and follow Him with all of our hearts.

We are told that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted in 2 Timothy 3:12 and that is true.  Luke 9:23-26 also tells us the following:

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.  “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?  “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

 In closing, I want to encourage you to follow the Master and pursue Him with all of your heart.  I want to remind you though, that following Christ will cost you.  For some of you it may cost you your life, for others of you, it may cost you a job or a promotion or even friends. Never let the cost of being a disciple of Christ scare you into denying Christ because what is waiting at the end of your life is a glorious reunion with the One who died for your sin and life everlasting.

Pray daily for the persecuted church worldwide and never forget the reason we are all here on this earth - to lift up the name of Christ and honor Him with our lives.

I pray the Lord blesses you in 2013 and want to encourage you to run this race with perseverence.

I leave you with Hebrews 12:1-3  -

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Go Honor Your King,

 

 

 

 

 Stacy Lynn Harp

Please continue your prayers for Christians in Libya as the Coptic Church has once again been on the receiving end of a church blast.  BBC News is reporting that two Egyptians were recently killed and two were also injured due to a blast which was apparently done with homemade dynamite.

Here's part of the story:

Two Egyptians have been killed and two injured in an apparent attack on a Coptic church building near the Libyan city of Misrata, officials say.

A Misrata city council official told the BBC that there had been an explosion at the building as the four victims were eating lunch there.

It is not clear who was behind the blast in the small town of Dafiniyah.

There were conflicting reports as to whether it happened on Saturday or Sunday.

The Misrata council official told the BBC that home-made dynamite used for fishing was found on the site of the explosion.

The Egyptian government has requested more security at the church, Egypt's Mena news agency reported.

"Egypt is requesting an investigation into the circumstances of the operation and for those responsible to be put on trial," it quoted Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr as saying.

The church in Dafiniyah, just outside Misrata, is frequented by Egyptians.

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“You are saying it wrong,” the exasperated guard instructed the elderly Chinese believer. “You are supposed to say ‘Prison is good,’ not ‘Jesus is good.’”

    Al Ling smiled. “But prison is not good. That’s the point. Am I supposed to lie?”
    

“Then give me fifty push-ups!” the frustrated Communist guard commanded. “Just like yesterday.”

    Seventy-year-old Al Ling did her push-ups and returned to her camp. Ling’s husband had been arrested for spreading the gospel, and he had passed away. Now she was in prison for telling her fellow Chinese people about the love of Christ.

    “Food is good, prison is good!” the prisoners were forced to shout as instructed after a hard day’s labor in the field. “Jesus is better!” Her strong voice stuck out from the crowd.
    

“Al Ling, do you want more push-ups today?” the guard asked.

    “I want you to know how much Jesus loves you,” she smiled in response. She was thrilled at the opportunity to tell the Communist guards and other prisoners how good Jesus was, even if it meant doing daily push-ups. Upon her release, the guards decided to interrogate her one last time. “Where does your husband work?” the young guard asked.

    “Oh, he is doing underground work,” she answered. The interested guard took out a notepad. Al Ling smiled, “He passed away years ago.”

Al Ling was no theologian. She was not a practiced orator. Yet with her innocent, steadfast, and even humorous replies, she was able to confound the Communist enemies. We may play mind games, wondering what we would say or do if we were in the same situation. Could we think on our feet? Jesus reminds us that we ought not worry about what we will say when we are asked to defend our faith. We are not asked to give a prepared speech. We are asked to rely on him for words of wisdom—at the moment we need them most. When that moment arrives, God will give you the words to say to be an effective witness for his sake.

Source: Extreme Devotion

As we've celebrated and reflected on the Savior's birth this month, instead of our usual prayer requests, please enjoy this excerpt from our year-long devotional book, Extreme Devotion.

"Have you ever smelled fresh hay?"

Aristar, the farming lad, began his story. "It's like someone captured the essence of spring and bundled it before it could lose its newness. Mary and Joseph must have smelled it when they arrived at the manger after their long journey."

The other prisoners listened intently as Aristar spoke naturally of the nativity. "The horse's ears would have turned towards the Savior's cry as soon as he was born. They are great listeners, as we should be when Jesus speaks."

Outside the Romanian prison of Tirgul-Ocna, the snow was six feet deep on a bitterly cold Christmas Eve. The prisoners had few clothes, little food, and barely one blanket each. They all missed their families and turned to listen to Aristar's story of Christ's birth for comfort.

He continued, "The light of the star must have been brighter than the moon. It may have shone through the stable's doorway and made the rooster crow announcing Christ's birth." The prisoners listened and wept. After the story, someone began to sing, gradually swelling to echo in the clear, crisp air. Everyone stopped to listen to the beautiful sound.

Even in the harsh prison, the story of Christ's gift warmed the hearts of many. Because Christ is the foundation, one can never lock out the spirit of Christmas.

Sure, Christmas is an annual celebration. Christmas is much more than that, however; it happens in the hearts of all people who stop to celebrate the magic of Christ's entry into the world--regardless of the season. The Christmas spirit of warmth shines into our darkest circumstances and reminds us of our hope in Christ. Regardless of whether or not we see snow on the ground, colored lights, and a decorated tree, we can celebrate Christmas. Whatever you're going through, Christ was born to help you in your time of need. His mercy extends all year long. When was the last time you felt the hope of Christ alive in your soul? Take time today to celebrate the birth of Christ--into your world and into your heart.

Police raided a group of 80 Christians in Uzbekistan on Dec. 1 while they were vacationing at the Simurg resort in the Bostanlyk District of Uzbekistan. The raid occurred during a meeting at which they were discussing their faith and singing Christian songs. Police authorities confiscated songbooks and Bibles and charged some of the Christians with leading unsanctioned worship.

According to Forum 18 News, police initially claimed they only wanted to check internal passports. But the 12 policemen confiscated three Bibles and 100 songbooks and fingerprinted all those present. According to an eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous, police insulted the believers with abusive language and threatened to bring criminal charges unless they signed statements.

Four members of the group were charged with illegal storage of religious material, holding religious meetings and unauthorized religious activity, among other offenses. When asked why the Christians were being punished for merely reading their Bibles and singing Christian songs, a policeman replied that worship must occur only in “places specifically set up for religious purposes.”

Source: Forum 18 News Service

I wish I could tell you some good news about Nigeria, but unfortunately right now that is not possible.  We have lost more of our family in Christ over the Christmas holiday due to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.  Once again, Boko Haram, is suspected of the killings that took place at the Nigerian Church on Christmas.  CBN News has the full story here.

Please remember your prayers for believers in Nigeria, as it is being reported that over 700 Christians have been martyred this year along in Nigeria by Boko Haram.  Pray for the members of Boko Haram, that they would encounter Jesus just as Saul did when he was persecuting Christians.

 

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Sadly, today CBN News is reporting that Pastor Youcef was re-arrested on Christmas.  Please take a few minutes to watch the short video report provided below.  Please click here to read the full story at CBN News.

Please keep Pastor Youcef and his dear family in your prayers.

 

 

Indonesia (MNN) ― The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recently raised concerns over the plight of religious minorities in Indonesia.

Many are Christians who have been noting the rise of violent attacks and forced displacement. This, in addition to other forms of discrimination, such as being denied identification cards. Sources from Open Doors and the Voice of the Martyrs say there have been reports of forced church closures, even where the churches have secured legal permission.

International Christian Concern reported Jakarta police finally taking security measures to protect Christians as they gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. More than 12,000 police were deployed to roughly 2,000 churches throughout Central Java.

Muslim extremist groups in Indonesia, with suspected ties to al Qaeda, continue to grow more violent towards Christians, with little resistance from authorities.

Voice of the Martyrs noted one incident with a girl named Ribur who was jailed for 60 days for talking about her faith in Jesus. According to the VOM report, she chose to be part of an agricultural mission project in Aceh on the island of Sumatra. Teaching about how to raise crops and livestock often gave the team opportunities to answer questions about their faith.

ICC says Ribur eventually began a community Bible study. She and another teammate had developed a relationship with a local woman, who eventually gave her life to Christ. That’s where Ribur ran into trouble.

Shortly after this, a mob attacked Ribur and the other Christian worker. The beating continued for 45 minutes, eventually ending when the police came and arrested the pair for blaspheming Islam. When officials asked her why she shared about Jesus, Ribur said, "Jesus wants everyone to know about Him."

Eventually, the pair was released. However, Franz Magnis-Suseno of the Driyarkara School of Philosophy says, "The religious situation in Indonesia is marked by a rising number of social conflicts between neighborhoods and villages; conflicts on ethnic and, increasingly, on religious lines."

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) cited the lack of religious freedom in Indonesia as among the issues that marred the country's human rights record.

Ignorance by the government has obviously encouraged increasing violence against minority groups in other areas, too, all across the country, which could potentially be misused by political interests approaching the 2014 legislative and presidential elections, said Kontras.

Pray for Christians like Ribur who are facing persecution for their faith. Ask God to give those who face persecution the strength to stand strong and testify the truth.

Source: Mission Network News

 

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If there has been one nation on my heart this year, it is Nigeria because of the intense persecution of Christians by Boko Haram.  We even saw the Jubilee Campaign petition President Obama with the hopes of getting enough people aware of the terrorism of Boko Haram so that the United States State Department would defund Boko Haram.  Sadly, that hasn't happened yet.

The following is from Mission Network News:

Nigeria (MNN) ― Boko Haram, a Nigerian militant Islamist group, had their bloodiest year in 2012, responsible for over 750 deaths.

General Aziza, Nigeria’s former national security advisor, says the upscale in Boko Haram’s terrorist attacks may be linked with the upcoming 2015 Nigerian presidential elections.

When President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, was elected president of Nigeria in 2011, a series of Boko Haram killings followed. Boko Haram made threats on the president to resign or else turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation.

Rae Burnett, the Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission, explains, “I do believe that it’s spiritual warfare, but it’s definitely the desire to see that Islam is the world religion. They start where they are, and these guys are Nigerian, so they want to be empowered in Nigeria.”

Several of the Muslim-majority Northern states began declaring themselves under Sharia law after the 2011 elections. Of the 32 Nigerian states, 12 currently are govern by Islamic Sharia law. 2015 will be Muslims’ next chance to gain power in Nigeria’s political arena.

However, Boko Haram grew quiet on the large-scale attack front earlier this month. The fact that Christmas was approaching—the biggest Christian holiday of the year—wasn’t lost on anyone and created an eerie silence. Attacks were expected, especially since Boko Haram has declared intent to eradicate Christians from Nigeria.

And Boko Haram militants have the means to back up this desire. With ties to Al-Qaeda and funding for weapons, they fight in pockets and avoid any clashes with the Nigerian military. They’ve gotten bolder. According to Burnett, “They do whatever is in front of them. If it’s a school bus, they’ll blow it up. If it’s a school, they’ll blow it up. They’re trying to make people afraid.”

Because of the disjointed nature of Boko Haram’s fighting tactics, several smaller attacks still occur weekly in Northern Nigeria, but they are largely unreported.

Burnett shares, “Once, I read [about another attack] and called my friend [in Nigeria] and said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this?’ He said, ‘Look, if I tell you about every terrorist attack, we would be on the phone all the time.’ They’ve become so common place that they are happening every day. We don’t hear about them.”

The attacks have gotten so bad in the state where Christian Aid’s headquarters are located that they need to move to a safer site. But Christian Aid can’t do it without the funds. Out of the $40,000 needed, they only have $10,000—enough to buy the land and lay a foundation. Christian Aid still needs $30,000 to finish the headquarter buildings and residences.

“They really need to move from the state where they are now,” says Burnett. “Two and three times a week, they are suffering terrorist attacks.”

But despite the danger, the 120 missionaries in Nigeria associated with Christian Aid are staying in the ministry field. “They are committed to making the Lord known and dying for Him if need be,” says Burnett. “They’re doing wonderful work, and many people are coming to Christ.”

Pray for Christians in Nigeria to persevere and hold fast to their hope in the Lord. Pray for many others in Nigeria to come to know Christ and for church leaders to advance their ministry.

 

Source: Mission Network News

 

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“I wonder if there is a boy here who will . . . bring the gospel to the cannibals?” challenged a missionary in a letter to young James Chalmers’s church. James resolved to be that boy.

    In 1866, Chalmers and his young wife sailed for the Southern Seas and were shipwrecked on Rarotonga, where they settled. Eleven years later, they left for Papua New Guinea, and were warmly received into a cannibal village called Suau.
    

Chalmers began journeying up and down the coast. At one of his stops, the natives surrounded him and demanded tomahawks and knives. Otherwise, they would kill him and his wife. Chalmers stood his ground, and the natives respected his tenacity. They even apologized the following day and soon became friends.

    In 1879, his wife died. James was devastated and told a friend, “Let me bury my sorrow in work for Christ.”

    Chalmers returned to England twice on furlough, only to be further convinced of his calling. “I cannotrest with so many thousands of savages without knowledge of God near us.”
    

On April 7, 1901, Chalmers, Oliver Tompkins, and a group of assistants sailed to the island of Goaribari. The following morning he and Tompkins went ashore and were escorted to a large building. Once inside, the natives killed the men and cooked them that same day.

How depressing. Understandably, when we read the stories of martyrs like James Chalmers, our natural reaction may be one of sympathy, and sorrow, and even shame. What a waste. But, we must take a closer look at their stories. Chalmers gave his single earthly life in order to share eternal life with many others. Chalmers did not consider his martyrdom a foolish mistake. Why should we be discouraged? When our earthly sufferings bring the glory and honor of heaven one step closer to the lost, nothing is in vain. Suffering becomes an inextricable part of God’s plan . . . for you and for others. Are you willing to endure earthly pain in order to bring heaven’s opportunity to others?

Source: Extreme Devotion